An interview with our fellow Elena Dressler
Gianni: Hello there, Elena. Since April 2025 you are part of our Research Training Group (RTG). What was your motivation to join the RTG „Standards of Governance“?
Elena: During my degree and the jobs I held whilst studying at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) and at different universities, I realised that I really enjoy academic work. This became even more apparent whilst writing my Master’s thesis, and throughout that process I could not shake the feeling that I did not actually want to stop doing this sort of work just yet. Yes, and that is exactly what motivated me to start a doctoral degree. I really liked the prospect of delving deeply, over a longer period, into topics that interest me and which, broadly speaking, I can choose myself. Alongside this personal motivation, I particularly liked the fact that a structured doctoral programme offers both freedom and a network. I also found the affiliation with a department interesting, as I hoped this would provide me with both a peer group and perhaps some further thematic overlap.
“Standards are not binding regulations, usually lack direct sanction mechanisms, and are often considered voluntary.”
Gianni: From your research perspective, how do you understand the term „Standards of Governance“?
Elena: In my own research, I draw heavily on the conceptualisation of standards put forward by Brunsson et al. (2000) and therefore regard them as instruments of control and regulation, much like hierarchies. Standards are not binding regulations, usually lack direct sanction mechanisms, and are often considered voluntary. Nevertheless, they (usually) succeed in persuading people or organisations – including states – to comply with the “rules” they imply, and thus in steering behaviour. Standards can also facilitate coordination and cooperation and ensure similarity or homogeneity at a global level. From a critical perspective, however, it should be noted that standards of governance are often undemocratic (or insufficiently democratic) and thus also lead to rules that are undesirable for the majority – or for minorities. Ultimately – and in short – I therefore regard standards as a form of governance in the broader sense. As I am also interested in the dissemination of standards of governance in my research, I am furthermore interested in the process – that is, standardisation. With the above understanding in mind, any attempt of harmonisation can be understood as a process of standardisation. It is striking to note the ease with which standards sometimes spread across various contexts – particularly when compared to other rules – even though this process is rarely straightforward and can instead resemble a “tug-of-war” or a “back-and-forth”.
“This also brings up the question of whether these repressive approaches to combat crime represent a (new) “standard of governance” and how legitimate such strategies can be in the light of fundamental democratic principles.”
Gianni: What is the focus of your doctoral degree and how does it relate to the research of the RTG?
Elena: My initial idea has certainly taken on a much clearer shape over the past year, though I feel that doing a doctorate is a constant process of further development – so I would be curious to see what my answer to that question would look like if you asked me again in six months’ time. J So far, I have been focusing primarily on transnational organised crime and smaller delinquent groups in Latin America. Currently I am particularly interested in the repressive approaches taken by states to combat crime (mano dura), how these are spreading across the region, and what impact these strategies ultimately have on the population. This also brings up the question of whether these repressive approaches to combat crime represent a (new) “standard of governance” and how legitimate such strategies can be in the light of fundamental democratic principles.
Gianni: The RTG connects Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy and Law from two universities – to what extend is this a positive feature for you and your research?
Elena: This interdisciplinary approach is a great asset to me, as legal and/or sociological topics frequently come to the fore in my research, and it is simply brilliant to be able to discuss them briefly with my colleagues. It also gives me an insight into a broad range of research interests. Most of which I would probably never have come across otherwise. It is also easy to find areas of overlap in terms of content, given the large number of other doctoral students and project topics, so we formed various thematic working groups right at the start of our doctoral research – and our working group continues to meet to exchange ideas.
“If you take the RTG and the topics of the other doctoral students seriously, you will need to spend quite a bit of time getting to grips with other projects.”
Gianni: Are there other benefits for your dissertation? Or are there aspects that might not be as beneficial to your work?
Elena: As I have just described, being part of the RTG has a number of advantages for my work. But of course, the broad range of topics covered by the RTG is not only a blessing but also a challenge. This is particularly true when you familiarise yourself with topics for the joint colloquium about which you previously knew very little. Here, I also see an aspect that is, to some extent, less conducive to one’s own doctoral research: If you take the RTG and the topics of the other doctoral students seriously, you will need to spend quite a bit of time getting to grips with other projects. You cannot devote this time to your own project or to other tasks that arise or that you have chosen to undertake. In my view, however, this only makes sense if collegiates – as well as postdocs and professors – contribute and receive a similar level of input and output.
Gianni: As part of your doctoral program you have the option of doing research stays (abroad) – do you have anything planned yet?
Elena: The planned stay abroad appealed to me right from the beginning, but – to be honest – it has now become quite common in many doctoral programmes. For my research project, it is essential that I am able to conduct research abroad as well, which is why I was certain from the start that I would make use of this opportunity. I was able to undertake a shorter research stay to Ecuador at the beginning of the year. However, I am planning a longer research stay in Latin America at some point in the near future – though I have not yet decided exactly when or where. Generally speaking, I find the planning and organisation of research stays within the framework of the RTG very straightforward, and I am glad that everything has gone very smoothly so far.
Gianni: What are your future plans for your research?
Elena: At the moment, I am spending a lot of time transcribing and analysing the data collected in Ecuador. I am also currently doing quite a bit of conceptual work that is fundamental to my future research, and which I would like to present at a conference this autumn. More generally, I am just really looking forward to the coming months (and years) because I feel that an exciting time lies ahead – for me and for all of us. The graduation of many fellows from the first cohort will certainly be an exciting time for us as well.
Gianni: Thank you for those interesting answers and good luck with your project.
Gianni Fraas has been a student assistant at the RTG “Standards of Governance” since December 2025.